Benin Is Part Of Yoruba Territory - Ooni Of Ife

The supremacy battle raging on over who is the highest oba has taken a new twist as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi on Tuesday, February 9, has replied Benin palace.

Ooni of Ife

The palace of the Oba of Benin had reacted to the controversy over the supremacy of Obas in the southwest stating that it was untrue that the Benin king was third in the ranking of kings.

The Alake had listed the Ooni, Alaafin of Oyo and Oba of Benin as first, second and third in that order and listed his title, the Alake of Egbaland and Awujale of Ijebuland as the fourth and fifth respectively.

The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo had during a visit of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi in his Ake palace, Abeokuta, declared that Ooni was the highest of the five major kings in Yourubaland.

Oba Adeyeye pointed out that Benin Kingdom in Edo state remained part of the expansive Yoruba race, Premium Times reported.

This current statement from the palace of the Ooni of Ife might spark another round of controversy.

The Ooni bears his mind on this issue through his media aide, Moses Olafare, saying that he was not interested in any form supremacy battle with anyone but will continue to put the fact straight in order to avoid the  concocting  of  historical facts.

The king explained that going by historical evidence showing the Oduduwa lineage, Benin Kingdom remained part and parcel of Oduduwa House.

The Ooni statement read: “We in Oduduwa land have always seen and regarded our people in Benin kingdom as part and parcel of Oduduwa House. They are our brothers and sisters, coupled with historical facts to back up this position.

“The statement credited to the Alake of Egbaland, did not emanate from us but the reality is that as a highly experienced and well informed monarch, Kabiyesi Alake, who is a bonafide Oodua descendant is entitled to his opinion based on his knowledge and understanding of history,” the Ooni said.

“Let me emphasize for the umpteenth time that Kabiyesi Ooni is less concerned over any supremacy hullabaloo. He is only interest for now in how the sacred throne of Oduduwa can explore measures through which the collective interest and genuine unity among Yoruba and other tribes within the larger House of Oduduwa can be enhanced.

“This informed his resolve to build bridges of harmony among Yourba Obas. I am resolutely committed to how Yoruba ethnic group can restore its glory and pride of position among other ethnic inclinations in Nigeria and don’t want to be dragged into supremacy contest or join issues with anybody.”

Source: Naij.com